Reconnaissance and attack buoy for submarines



Aug. 15, 1944. s. G. KOTELEV' ETAL RECONNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY FOR SUBMARINES a Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 50, 1943 I G.i

fllllllfffemr SERGE GKOTELV Sop/#5 1 1K OTEL'EV INVENTORS ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1944. s; G. KOTELEV ErAL 2,355,918

RECONNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY FQR SUBMARINES Filed March'30, 1943 8 She ets-Sheet 2 SERGE GZIYOTELEV S mm Z mm m H w S ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1944. s. G. KOTELEV ET AL 2,355,918 RECCNNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY FOR SUBMARINES Filed March so, 1945 a Sheets-Sheet 5 SRGE GZKOTELEI/ SoPH/E EKbTELEV INVENTORS )5 n We);

ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1944. s. G. KOTELEV ETAL 2,355,918

I RECQNNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY FOR SUBMARINES I Filed Mar ch 50, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Z 3 I F SERGE GCKOTELEI/ SOPHIE EKOTELEV INVENTORS ATTORNEY 15, 1944- s. G. KOTELEV AL 2,355,918

RECONNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY FOR SUBMARINES Filed March 30, 1943 8 sheets sheet 5 55/? GE GI KOTELEV SOPH/E EKbTELEV INVENTOR ATTORN EY W WW Aug. 15, 1944. s. G. KOTELEV ET AL RECONNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY FOR SUBMARINES Filed March 30, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 9

INVENTORS ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1944. s. G. KOTELEV ETAL 2,355,918

RECONNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY'FOR SUBMARINES Fi led llarch so, 1943 a Sheets-Sheet 7 Fl G. ii

SERGE GKOTELEV SOPfi/EZZ'K?) TELEV .INVENTORS E 1 mm ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 19.44, s. G. KOITELEV ETAL RECONNAISSANCE AND ATTACK'BUOY FOR SUBMARINES ma Mai-ch 50, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet a IIlIIllI/I l I a I SZRGE G.KOTELEV SoPH/E FKOTELEV INVENTORS BY 901m 1 mm ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 194-4 RECONNAISSANCE AND ATTACK BUOY FOR SUBMARINES Serge G. Kotelev and Sophie F. Kotelev, Long Island City, N. Y.

Application March 30, 1943, Serial No. 481,166

7 Claims.

Our invention relates to reconnaissance buoys for submarines and has particular reference to captive buoys which can be released from a submerged submarine.

The object of our invention is to provide a buoy which can be normally carried in a special recess or well in the hull of a submarine, means being provided to admit a member of the submarine crew into the buoy while the submarine is submerged, the buoy being adapted to be released on a cable so that it can rise to the surface.

Another object of our invention is to provide on the buoy a tubular telescopic tower which can be raised by the observer in the buoy, the tower being provided with a transparent dome for the observer. We also provide for the observer a seat in the tower which can be raised with the tower.

We also provide means to seal the top of the tower if the dome is broken, the sealing means or closure being normally stored on top of the seat under a special cover,

Another object of our invention is to provide .an air valve on top of the dome which can be closed when the buoy is submerged.

Another object of our invention is to provide the buoy with torpedo tubes which can be placed in firing position by the operator inside for firing torpedoes. We also provide means to turn the buoy on its vertical axis by a special small propeller mounted in a telescopic casing. The buoy is further provided with a telescopic tower having a gun on an articulated bracket so that the gun can be moved in any desired position and can be raised for anti-aircraft fire.

'Another object of our invention is to provide means in the submarine for winding and unwinding the cable on which the buoy is held, the

. cable winding device being water-tight. A suitable recess is provided in the hull of the submarine ior the buoy, means being provided to close the recess when the buoy is released for floating to the surface of water.

Our invention is more fully described in th accompanying specification and drawings in Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a submarine with our buoy;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the buoy released from the submarine and floating on the surface of water;

Fi 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the buoy;

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view of a submarine with our buoys;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 8 is a view'of a reconnaissance buoy at the surface of water;

Fig. 9 is a similar viewof the buoy in a closed position;

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a closure at the top of the buoy;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the buoy in a partly closed position;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the buoy with the dome open;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of well without the buoy;

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevational view of a well in the submarine for the buoy.

Our buoy as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, consists of an elongated cylindrical body I with flanges 2 at the side resting on raised flanges 3 on the hull of a submarine 4, the lower portion of the body I being held in a well or recess 5. The body I has a tubular extension 6 at the bottom, fitted into a tubular well 1. A tapering shoulder 8 on the extension engages corresponding shoulder 9 in the well. Resilient gaskets 10 are provided in the shoulders for preventing leakage of water past the shoulders.

The lower end of the tubular extension 6 is provided with a pulley l2 for a cable I3, the extension 6 being sealed above the pulley by a partition I4. The ends of the cable are wound on drums or reels l5, l6, rotatively supported in casings IT at the sides of the well 1. The casings are in communication with the well 1 but are sealed from the interior of the submarine. Shafts 18 of the drums are hollow, the ends of the cable passing through these shafts into the submarine.

' An electric cable l9 extends withthe cable 13 .closed by a lid 29.

4 the port 28, which is usually closed by a lid 28'.

An oval inspection opening 32 is provided at the bottom of the well '6, closed by a lid 33 and drawn tightlyby a bolt' 34 with a brace 35.

The buoy is automatically released from its seat when the motor '20 turns the drums for unwinding the cable. The buoy then rises to the surface of water by its buoyance as shown in Fig. 6. Upon completion of the task assigned to the man or men in the buoy, the latter is drawn back into the well I and the men pass into the submarine through the ports 28, 39. The opening at the top of the extension 3 is usually closed by a lid 36.

It is important that the well should remain free from any obstruction while the buoy is at the surface of water. Particular care should be taken that no marine animals should become lodged in the well, thus preventing the buoy from properly resting on the water-tight shoulder I0. For this purpose covers or shutters 31 are provided, hinged at 38 to the flanges 3 and curved to suit the outer curvature of the body I as shown in Fig. 1. Springs 39 force the covers upward into positions indicated with dotted lines in Fig. 1 when the buoy is released. The covers are shown in Fig. 13 in a raised position.

To facilitate free rising of the buoy, a freewheeling clutch may be included in the transmission from the motor 2I to the drums I5, I6.

The buoy is provided with two towers, one for observation, the other for attack. The observation tower represents a tube 40 fastened to the body I as by flanges 4|. A telescopicall sliding inner tube 42 is fitted in the outer tube 49, being sealed by packing 43, 44. A seat 45 is provided in the inner tube for an observer, with rungs 46 at the side of the tube for climbing to the seat. Glass windows 4! are fitted in slots in the inner tube to enable the observer to see in every direction. An electric searchlight 48 may be also provided in the inner tube. The tube may be rotated by the observer, for which purpose a pinion 49 is provided at the end of a rod 59 with a handwheel I within reach of the observer, the pinion engaging a ring gear 52 at the upper end of the outer tube 40. The pinion engages the gear only when the inner tube is fully raised.

A hydraulic cylinder 53 is mounted on the floor of the body I under the tube 49 for raising the inner tube 42. A plunger 54 is attached at the top to a lug 55 extending from the side wall of the tube 42. A suitable control valve 3! is provided for connecting the cylinder with a source of compressed fluid 49'.

The tower is shown in a raised position in Fig. 3 and is lowered in Fig. 1. When lowered, a tapering flange 56 at the top of the inner tube 42 engages a tapering shoulder 51 on top of the outer tube 49. A rubber sealing insert 58 ensures a water-tight junction.

The attack tower comprises a stationary outer tube 59 fastened to the body I as by a flange 69. An inner tube GI slides telescopically in the outer tube and is sealed by a ring 62. A flange 64 with a rubber insert 65 engages a tapering shoulder 66 of the outer tube when the inner tube is lowered, the ring forming a water-tight junction.

The inner tube is raised by a plunger 6'! sliding in a hydraulic cylinder 68 and supported by aball bearing 68' a lug -69 extending from the inner wall of 'the'tube 6|. A control valve I9 is located at the foot of the cylinder for admitting compressed fluid into the cylinder, an exhaust valve II being provided with a control pedal II near the seat I2 for an operator in the tower. For rotating the tower, a pinion I4 with a handwheel I5 in a bracket 75" is sli'dably fitted in a slot "I3 in the wall of the inner tube 6I,the pinion engaging a ring gear-"I6 at the upper end of the outer tube when the inner tube is fully raised. A clamping nut 'I'I tightens the bracket in an operative position in the slot.

A machine gun I8 or other suitable type of a un is mounted on an articulated bracket 19, sliding on a rail 89 hinged at the inner wall of the tube 6|, the gun extending through the slot TI. The gun When not in use is lowered into a position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The gun can be also raised for firing through the top as an anti-aircraft weapon. The top plate ill of the inner tube is provided for this purpose with an opening 82 normally closed by a lid 83 hinged at 63, held fast by a locking bolt 84. The latter can be released from inside the tube by the gunner and the lid thrown open as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

'Another powerful weapon is provided in the form of torpedoes 85 in torpedo tubes 86 in the lower portion of the body I. The tubes can be moved outward by pinions Bl engaging racks 88 on the tubes and operated by handles 89 or by a suitable motor, electric, hydraulic or using compressed air. The latter is stored in a suitable reservoir primarily for expelling torpedoes from the tubes. Hinged lids 99 at the ends of the tubes are automatically raised under pressure from the torpedoes when the latter are expelled from the tubes.

For accurately steering or turning the body I in the water for pointing the torpedoes in a desired direction a power device is employed consisting of a telescopic tube 9I fitted in the end wall of the body I and provided with a propeller 92 on a shaft 93 operated by a motor 94. A pinion 95 engages a rack 96 on the tube and can be manually operated by a handle 9! rotated by a motor 91'. The tube 9| has openings 98 at the sides for exposing the propeller to the outside water. Rotation of the motor 94 in one or the other direction will cause the body I to turn in a corresponding direction.

Several such attack buoys can be mounted on the submarine as shown in Figs. 6, and '7, in which one buoy is shown raised and in an attacking position with the towers or inner tubes fully raised, the other buoy is partly raised, and others are still resting in their wells on the submarine.

, If the buoy is damaged and cannot be used, it may be detached by unwinding the cables and releasing their inner ends.

Another type of buoy is shown in Figs. 8 to 14 inclusive. The buoy consists of an outer tubu- 'lar member 99 with telescopically fitted inner tubular member Ito, rings IilI, I92, forming water-tight seals. The inner member is provided with a port I 93 for admitting an observer I94 inside, the port being closed by a door I05.

The inner cylinder is raised hydraulically, for which purpose a cylinder I38 is mounted in the outer cylinder with a hollow plunger I99 inside. The top of the plunger is connected with the inner cylinder by cross-bars H9. A bottle III with a fluid under pressure is placed inside the plunger and is provided with a two-way. valve II 2, operated by a magnet H3 controlled by push buttons H4 at the top of the imier cylinder I99. A seat I I5 is mounted on topof the plunger I 99 on ball bearings for the observer, the'observer being able to turn the seat around in any direction. A look or brakeI'IS is provided at t e side of the plunger for locking 3 the latter in the raised position, the lock being operatediby a handle'IIB at the top.

A top piece II! is mounted on top of the inner An oval observer as shown inFig. 8.v A telephone I2I and similar signal devices are provided on the top piece .with cables or wires H2 extending downward into a cable. I23 attached to a swivel I24.

A dome I25 is mounted on the top piece III made of glass or other transparent material and is provided with an air valve I26 on top. The valve has a cover I21 and a screw I28 for closing the valve When the device is under water.

The opening I25 can be closed in the event that the dome I25 is broken or damaged. A lid I29 is provided for this purpose as shown in Fig. 11, tightened by a screw I30 and a clamping bar I3I. The lid and the bar are ordinarily held on top of the seat II under a seat cover I32.- Foot rails I32 are provided under the seat.

The dome I25 can be opened as shown in Fig. 12 if the observer wishes to leave the buoy. He can reenter the same upon completion of his task and close the dome after him. He can then lower the inner tube with the seat and signal the attendants in the submarine to pull him down.

The cable is wound on a drum I33, Fig. 14, inside a water-tight casing I34. Pulleys I35, I35, guide the cable into a tubular well I36 for the buoy. A soft resilient ring I3! is provided in the outer opening of the well to protect the sides of the buoy when the latter is pulled into the well by the cable. A port I39 at the bottom is used for removing or inserting the buoy into the well, the port being closed by a lid I40 with a screw I iI. A similar port I42 is provided at the side, closed by a lid I43 with a screw I 44. An oval ring-shaped handle I45 is provided on the screw for its operation. The port is used for admitting the operator into the buoy. The shaft of the pulley I35 is fitted in a slot I41 so that the pulley can be moved back to make room for inserting or removing the buoy.

A saddle I56 is slidably fitted in the well I36 for supporting the round lower end of the buoy. The saddle rises to the top of the well when the buoy is raised, closing the well.

A double cable as shown in Fig. 1, can be also used for buoy 99. One drum at a time can be operated if desired, the other drum being disconnected by a clutch I45.

A cover 2% may be provided of a type similar to the cover disclosed in our copending patent application, Serial No. 443,142, filed May 15, 1942, Patent No. 2,341,923.

It is understood that our reconnaissance and attack buoys for submarines may be further modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A reconnaissance buoy for a submarine comprising a vessel; a tubular container opened at the top supported on the upper deck of a submarine and adapted to receive the vessel; a cable extending from the vessel into the submarine; a drum for the cable; means to admit a man from the submarine into the vessel; means to release the vessel; means to rotate the drum for unwinding the cable and permitting the vessel to rise to the surface of water; a water-tight enclosure for the drum at the container; means to prevent outside water from entering the submarine when the vessel is released; a hinged cover at the top of the container adapted to be depressed by the vessel when the latter is resting .in the container;

and means to raise the cover for closing the container when the vessel is released therefrom.

2. A reconnaissance buoy fora submarine comprising a vessel; a tubular container opened at the top supported on the upper deck of a submarine and adapted to receive the vessel; a cable extending from the vessel into the submarine; a drum for the cable; a water-tight enclosure for the drum in communication with the container; the container having an opening; the container and the vessel having registering openings for admitting a man from the submarine into the container; water-tight doors for the openings; means to rotate the drum thereby releasing the cable and allowing the vessel to rise to the surface of water; the bottom of the container having an opening for inserting the vessel into the container from inside the submarine; and a water-tight cover for the bottom opening.

3. A reconnaissance buoy for a submarine comprising a water-tight vessel elongated in horizontal direction; a container for the vessel at the upper deck of a submarine open at the top; a tubular extension at the bottom of the vessel slidably fitted in a corresponding tubular recess in the container; a cable extending from the extension into the submarine; a drum for the cable; a water-tight enclosure for the drum and cable at the container; the tubular extension and walls of the recess having ports for the passage of a man; water-tight covers for the ports; torpedo tubes slidably fitted in the vessel; and means to yieldably close the openings in the tubes when the tubes are withdrawn into the vessel.

4. A reconnaissance buoy for a submarine comprising a water-tight vessel elongated in horizontal direction; a container for the vessel at the upper deck of a submarine open at the top; a tubular extension at the bottom of the vessel slidably fitted in a corresponding tubular recess in the container; two cables extending from the bottom of the extension into the submarine; two water-tight enclosures in communication with the tubular extension; drums in the enclosures for the cables; means to simultaneously rotate the drums for releasing the cables and allowing the vessel to rise to the surface of water; means to close the container when the vessel is released; and observation posts at the top of the vessel.

5. A reconnaissance buoy for a submarine comprising a water-tight vessel; means to support the vessel at the submarine; means to admit a man from the submarine into the vessel under water; cables connecting the vessel with submarine for raising and lowering the vessel; a cylindrical cabin on top of the vessel; means to raise and to lower the cabin; a gun in the cabin; a folding rotatable bracket for the gun, the cabin having openings at the side and at the top for the gun; and means to seal the openings when the cabin is lowered.

6. An observation buoy for a submarine comprising a tubular body; means to support the body in a recess in a submarine; a cable extending from the body into the submarine; means to raise and lower the buoy by the cable; a telescopic tubular extension on the body; means to raise and to lower the extension; an air valve on top of the extension; a seat for an observer in the extension; means to render the body with the extension water-tight; a telescopic tubular post supporting the seat in the body; a container for a fluid under compression in the post; and means the vessel at the submarinmmeans to admit a 'man from the submarine into the vessel under Water; cables connecting the vessel with submarine for raising and lowering the vessel; a telescopic tubular extension at the side of the vessel; a propeller in the extension; and means to operate the propeller for rotating the vessel when the 5 vessel is raised to the surface of water.

SERGE G. KOIELEV. SOPHIE F. KOTELEV. 

